Stative Verbs - Definition, Usage & Examples

Lesson Overview

• What Are Stative Verbs?
• List of Stative Verb
• How to Form Sentences with Stative Verbs
• Difference Between Action Verbs and Stative Verbs

Stative verbs help you improve sentence structure and communicate more effectively. You will learn to identify verbs that express states, such as feelings, thoughts, and perceptions, rather than actions. This lesson will guide you through their proper usage and ensure that you avoid common mistakes.

What Are Stative Verbs?

Stative verbs are special verbs that describe a state of being, feelings, thoughts, or conditions. They don't show actions like other verbs; instead, they tell us what something is or how something feels. 

For example, in the sentence "She feels happy," the verb "feels" is a stative verb because it describes her emotional state, not an action.

These verbs help us talk about things that exist or are true, like what we know, like, need, or believe. This is different from action verbs, which describe actions we can see or do.

List of Stative Verb

Here is a stative verbs list with common examples:

Take This Quiz :

Verb Quiz

How to Form Sentences with Stative Verbs

Forming sentences with stative verbs is simple, but it follows different rules than action verbs. Since stative verbs describe states (not actions), they are not usually used in continuous tenses. 

Step 1: Identify the Stative Verb

The first step is to recognize the stative verb in a sentence. Stative verbs describe a state, condition, emotion, or possession rather than an action.

Examples of Stative Verbs in Sentences:

• She knows the answer. (Describes a mental state)
• This cake tastes delicious. (Describes a sensory experience)
• He has a new phone. (Describes possession)

Step 2: Use the Correct Subject-Verb Agreement

Like all verbs, stative verbs must adhere to subject-verb agreement, ensuring the verb matches the subject in number and person (singular/plural).

Correct:

• She likes ice cream.
• They prefer tea.

Incorrect:

• She like ice cream. (Wrong verb form)
• They prefers tea. (Wrong verb form)

Step 3: Use Stative Verbs in the Correct Tense

Stative verbs are typically used in the simple present or simple past tense, not in continuous tenses.

Correct stative verbs examples:

• I believe you. (Simple present)
• He owned a car last year. (Simple past)

Incorrect:

• I am believing you. (Stative verbs do not use continuous tense)
• He was owning a car. (Wrong verb usage)

Step 4: Avoid Using Stative Verbs in Continuous Tenses

Unlike action verbs, stative verbs do not typically appear in the continuous (-ing) form.

Correct:

• She needs help.
• This perfume smells nice.

Incorrect:

• She is needing help. (Wrong use of continuous tense)
• This perfume is smelling nice. (Incorrect stative verb usage)

Step 5: Use Stative Verbs in Negative Sentences

To make a negative sentence with a stative verb, use do not (don't), does not (doesn't), or did not (didn't) before the verb.

Correct stative verbs sentences:

• I do not understand the question.
• She does not own a car.
• They did not agree with the plan.

Incorrect:

• I am not understanding the question. (Wrong verb tense)
• She is not owning a car. (Incorrect stative verb usage)

Step 6: Use Stative Verbs in Interrogative (Question) Sentences

To ask a question with a stative verb, use Do/Does/Did at the beginning of the sentence.

Correct:

• Do you know the answer?
• Does she want coffee?
• Did he remember my name?

Incorrect:

• Are you knowing the answer? (Incorrect verb tense)
• Is she wanting coffee? (Wrong usage)

Step 7: Use Stative Verbs in Compound and Complex Sentences

Stative verbs can also be used in longer sentences to show relationships between ideas.

Correct stative verbs examples:

• She likes tea, but she prefers coffee.
• Although he owns a bike, he wants a car.
• They believe she will pass the test because she studies hard.

Take This Quiz :

INTERMEDIATE 3, QUIZ UNIT 4 - STATIVE VS. DYNAMIC VERBS

Difference Between Action Verbs and Stative Verbs

Verbs are divided into two main types: action verbs and stative verbs. While both are essential in forming sentences, they have different uses.

Action verbs describe physical or mental activities that someone does. These actions can be seen or measured, such as run, jump, write, or think. Action verbs can be used in both simple and continuous tenses.

On the other hand, stative verbs describe a state, condition, feeling, or possession rather than an action. These verbs are not about movement or action but about existence, emotions, or relationships.

Understanding the action verb stative verb difference is important for using correct grammar. Below is a comparison table with examples of both types.

Comparison Table: Action Verb vs. Stative Verb